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| Yangtze hit by drought in China | Yangtze hit by drought in China |
| (5 days later) | |
| China is facing its worst drought in a decade, with water in parts of the Yangtze River at the lowest level in 142 years, state media has reported. | China is facing its worst drought in a decade, with water in parts of the Yangtze River at the lowest level in 142 years, state media has reported. |
| Millions of people were short of water, and dozens of ships had run aground in the river since October, reports said. | Millions of people were short of water, and dozens of ships had run aground in the river since October, reports said. |
| Officials said low water levels in the Yangtze were not linked to construction of the massive Three Gorges Dam. | Officials said low water levels in the Yangtze were not linked to construction of the massive Three Gorges Dam. |
| China faces droughts and floods annually but has seen a recent increase in extreme weather conditions. | China faces droughts and floods annually but has seen a recent increase in extreme weather conditions. |
| In the major Yangtze port city of Hankou, water levels fell to 13.98m (46ft) in early January - the lowest level since records began in 1866, China Daily said, citing local media. | In the major Yangtze port city of Hankou, water levels fell to 13.98m (46ft) in early January - the lowest level since records began in 1866, China Daily said, citing local media. |
| "This year's drought is rare," the daily quoted a local farmer as saying. | "This year's drought is rare," the daily quoted a local farmer as saying. |
| "Just days ago, I saw ship after ship running aground. I have never seen that before." | "Just days ago, I saw ship after ship running aground. I have never seen that before." |
| Supporters say the dam will prevent flooding and generate electricity | Supporters say the dam will prevent flooding and generate electricity |
| Water levels in other rivers and reservoirs in China are also reported to be at record lows. | Water levels in other rivers and reservoirs in China are also reported to be at record lows. |
| Officials said that an earlier than expected dry season was to blame for the drought. | Officials said that an earlier than expected dry season was to blame for the drought. |
| Authorities have already warned that climate change could make weather conditions in China much tougher in the years ahead. | Authorities have already warned that climate change could make weather conditions in China much tougher in the years ahead. |
| Large amounts of water were also stored behind the Three Gorges Dam last month, causing a 50% reduction in the flow volume of the Yangtze, China Daily said. | Large amounts of water were also stored behind the Three Gorges Dam last month, causing a 50% reduction in the flow volume of the Yangtze, China Daily said. |
| But the Yangtze River Water Resource Commission said this was not the cause of the problem, the daily added. | But the Yangtze River Water Resource Commission said this was not the cause of the problem, the daily added. |
| Supporters of the dam say it will prevent devastating floods and provide much-needed hydroelectric power but there are concerns over its environmental impact. | Supporters of the dam say it will prevent devastating floods and provide much-needed hydroelectric power but there are concerns over its environmental impact. |